edited to clarify, that is to say, could a deacon be a woman, too?

Not in the Roman Catholic church, I'm pretty sure. In the Episcopal church, yes.

I don't think it's funny when a man takes a baseball to the groin.

I do, however, think it's funny to hear announcers talk about it without ever directly mentioning the obvious reason the second baseman is writhing on the infield dirt. I think the phrase was, "Now, that didn't hit his glove, did it?"

Oh, geez, Susan. Yeah, not funny, but...fuuuunnny!

Oh Susan, your night sounded like mine, only in our case Franny has bad ear infections in both ears, plus a cough, and every time she coughs it hurts her ears. Poor thing! She was fairly miserable all day, even with painkillers, so I have been very busy just trying to take care of her.

Burrell, how did Franny ask for pancakes? I'm trying to picture it -- words? arm waving? I bet it was adorable, and obviously she's brilliant.

Apologies for taking so long to answer this (see above).

We were sitting on my bed and I was asking her what she wanted for breakfast, giving her a couple options like, "do you want oatmeal?"--head shakes--"or waffles?"--head shakes again. Then she says something like, "mancake." So I asked her if she said pancakes, and she nodded her head emphatically and smiled widely. And yes, it was pretty dang adorable.

She's been trying out a lot more words lately. It's very exciting.

Oh ouch. I hope both babies get to feeling better soon.

That is adorable. What a sweetheart.

Deena! Shouldn't you be asleep by now? Then again, I should be too.

Poor Frances keeps waking up in tears. It's breaking my heart, she's so miserable.

You didn't give her mancakes did you, Burrell?

I do, however, think it's funny to hear announcers talk about it without ever directly mentioning the obvious reason the second baseman is writhing on the infield dirt. I think the phrase was, "Now, that didn't hit his glove, did it?"

The classic baseball euphemism for this is "he got his bell rung" - which is a reference to the old metal cups they used to use, and there would be a loud Pling! on shots to the crotch.

Long day here. Had brunch with my ex-minion and caught up. Went to work for an hour. Went shopping for dinner at the Ferry Building and around the neighborhood. Unloaded groceries and ran back to the car, and drove to the East Bay. Baseball practice and then a game from 4:30 to 7:30. Rush back immediately, change my shirt and make dinner for FiL and his GF. Fortunately dinner turned out very well (Salmon broiled with butter and garlic, asparagus with butter lemon sauce, green lentils cooked in mushroom stock).

Tomorrow up at the asscrack of dawn to drive JZ over to her ride so she can be a model patient. Then I can take a breather for a couple hours until I go to work again, and then back to the East Bay for another baseball game.

You didn't give her mancakes did you, Burrell?

I don't think the "p" sound has made it into her repertoire yet.

I don't think the "p" sound has made it into her repertoire yet.

Yeah, but once it does? You'd better invest in a peck of pickled peppers.

swing dance. fakeing it is fun. good band. the fact that a 15 yr old out danced all the older folk... just fun. band - really good. No, really really good. Sadly, only a small number of people. but they all had fun. even our friend K whose first dance was 20 yrs ago with his wife at thier wedding. now he is up to 4 or 5 dances.

feet hurt.